Local carriers gear up to resume commercial flight operations

Local carriers gear up to resume commercial flight operations
By Ma. Cristina Arayata

MANILA – Local carriers Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB) on Tuesday announced their preparations as they anticipate resumption of flight operations, as well as the safety measures they would implement for the benefit of both the staff and the passengers.

All local carriers have temporarily suspended international and domestic flights until May 15, in line with the ongoing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other select areas considered high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a statement CEB said it will cater to a limited number of domestic routes once flight operations resume.

Passengers may expect a "new normal", or what CEB calls a "contactless flights".

Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for Marketing and Customer Experience, said apart from encouraging passengers to check-in online, they will also hold their own boarding passes for the staff to scan the barcode.

Physical distancing will be observed in queues and boarding, she added.

As for the crew, they will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and will also have to undergo rapid antibody test.

Both CEB and PAL would require passengers to wear face masks all throughout the flights.

The two also noted the thorough disinfection of cabin, before and after flights. Both would make sanitizers available.

Meanwhile, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the resumption of commercial flight operations would depend on the travel demand, the safety, as well as the travel restrictions imposed by various governments.

Since the implementation of the ECQ, both PAL and CEB have been mounting all-cargo flights to carry essential medical supplies.

Further, PAL mounted several sweeper flights to ferry stranded nationals out of the country. (PNA)